Valenciennes

VALENCIENNES FC – STADE NUNGESSER – CAPACITY: 16,168 ALL SEATER

About the Stade Nungesser
The very basic Stade Nungesser is now in the twilight of its career as a football stadium. In 2009 the Stade Neu Nungesser is due to open adjacent to the current stadium. It will have a 25,000 all seater capacity, with cover for everyone – something that has been lacking since the current structure opened in 1930.

The current Nungesser holds just over 16,000 and has been full on a number of occasions this season. It is a very basic stadium, an oval shape arena with a single large covered main stand, and three temporary structures. The views from the stands behind the goals is not good as you are quite along way from the action. The uncovered stands are far from ideal in the often wet Northern French climate. Not many fans will regret the passing of the old stadium when they move in 2009.

Who plays there?
The stadium is home to USVA, or Valenciennes FC who have played for most of their history in the second tier of French football. They have surprised many since returning to the top division in 2007 and holding their own in the first half of the season. The club were formed in 1915 and reached the top flight for the first time in 1935, although they were relegated the following season.

They reached their one and only French Cup final in 1951, although defeat was the nearest they have come to getting their hands on the trophy. In 1972 they were promoted to the top division again as champions in a period that saw them pass between the top two divisions regularly.

The club were perhaps most famous for being heavily embroiled in the 1993 bribery scandal that eventually saw Marseille stripped of their 1992 French Ligue title, and their subsequent European Cup Champions status. For their part in the illegal agreement the club were relegated to the second division, and actually fell a further league the following season. The long climb back to the top started in 2005, and the club completed the journey with back to back promotions in 2006 and 2007.

How to get there
The stadium is located in the south east of the town, half way between the centre and the university. It is now significantly easier to reach due to the opening of the tram network as the stadium has its own stop, Nungasser, six stops and 10 minutes from the central station in the direction of the University.

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Getting a ticket
Since returning to the top division crowds have flocked back to the Nungesser, and sell outs have been common this season. With local derbies back on the agenda against Lens and Lille, it is often advisable to try and get your tickets in advance from the ticket office at the stadium. At present there is no way to book tickets in advance from the club websitehttp://www.va-fc.com. Ticket prices are €15 for a seat in the main stand – the Tribune Honneur to €7 in the Pouille behind the goal.

Getting around
Valenciennes is a small town in a large urban sprawl in North East France. It has recently opened the first part of a tram network that will eventually link many of the local suburbs. The first line runs from the University in the south to Dutemple in the north west of the town via the centre and station.